Need Help picking new HVAC Split System

Hi. Looking for some guidance. I need to replace my HVAC system (split system--natural gas). Don't know a thing about HVAC so I need some help ensuring that I pick the right system. I want to get a system that will be eligible for the tax credit: (1) furnace AFUE required to be > or = 95%; and (2) A/C required EER > or = 13; SEER > = 16. Wondering if anyone could recommend brands and/or models that would be "top rated" (product quality, warranty, etc...). Also, can't seem to find any sites that actually rate different them--are they out there? Hope I've provided enough info. (though I'm sure I probably haven't!).

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Why not try the best selling brand

Goodman is the best selling residental hvac system on the market today. They are built out of U.S.A. parts asyembled in Houston, Texas. Goodman also offers the strongest warrenty in the industry. Not just equal to thr others but stronger. Example--if the compressure goes bad they replace the whole unit, not just the compressure like the other guys. You wont hear much about goodman becuse they spend there money on the product not adversiting. If you ask a installer that is not a Goodman Dealer you will hear bad stuff almost every time--I call that sour grapes. If you go to the Goodman web site you will find a list of Goodman dealers in your area. OH I ALMOST FORGOT GOODMAN COST LESS TOO. REMEMBER THEY DONT SPEND MONEY ON ADS. I work for a company near Austin, Texas that is a dealer for eight major brands including Goodman. Be sure to get a r-410a system. Hope this helps, GOOD LUCK.

Most of the major brands if installed PROPERLY will work well. There are differences in quality within most brands. If sound is an issue to you, as you spend more $$ they tend to get quieter, heavier build/more features/more efficient and if you have to listen to/live with it for 20 yrs that can be a big issue. For ex:http://www.lennox.com/products/list.asp?type=1. Made in Dallas, the XC15 is one of the quietest made. Extended warranties are cheap to buy and I recommend the 10 yr type.

Goodman is the best selling residental hvac system on the market today. They are built out of U.S.A. parts asyembled in Houston, Texas. Goodman also offers the strongest warrenty in the industry. Not just equal to thr others but stronger. Example--if the compressure goes bad they replace the whole unit, not just the compressure like the other guys. You wont hear much about goodman becuse they spend there money on the product not adversiting. If you ask a installer that is not a Goodman Dealer you will hear bad stuff almost every time--I call that sour grapes. If you go to the Goodman web site you will find a list of Goodman dealers in your area. OH I ALMOST FORGOT GOODMAN COST LESS TOO. REMEMBER THEY DONT SPEND MONEY ON ADS. I work for a company near Austin, Texas that is a dealer for eight major brands including Goodman. Be sure to get a r-410a system. Hope this helps, GOOD LUCK.

Texas, it is very obvious that you personally profit from Goodman products, and from your HVAC poetic adorations, have drank the Goodman Kool-Aid. I once extolled the virtues of Goodman myself, as the VP of Sales for a multi-state Goodman Distributor. The problem was that I knew better, having represented other equipment in the past. I was acting in the best interest of my personal bank account and not that of my customers.

None of this is to say that Goodman is "Bad" product, but your heavenly description of the grand warranties, reminds me of meeting that I had, sitting with the suits in Houston and hearing them laugh about the actualrial science that went into the decision to announce this warranty with very little improvement to justify. Their reasons for launcing such glorious warranties that are hard to resist were not for the protection of it's end user customers, but was a marketing ploy to overtake #1 Carrier as AC sales kings, with provisions and psychology that said they would not have to honor many warranties. Goodman is OK equipment, but does not stand the test of time regarding structure and integrity of many competitive products with lesser warranties.

Now, a statement for the OP:
The tax credits are great in comparison to past programs, but weigh this carefully. To gain the max $1500, you do have to step into a level of equipment that is higher. If your home is older and lacks the insulations that new homes have, the efficiency savings from say a 14 SEER AC / 93% furnace - to the Tax Credit 16 SEER/95+, may not be as substantial as you would think, and the money spent to attain the Tax Credit, may take years to justify. But, if you are of the mind that you want the best, $ be damned, go for it. I had a customer last week who ened up spending $2,100 to get the $1,500. I did my best to show the comparison, but they wanted what they wanted. I think homeowners should not look at the tax credits as a way of saving total money, but more a means to an end to upgrade to a higher level then the normal budget will allow.

Very good luck to you with your decision. And as others have said, do not forsake a good instalation to drink the Kool-Aid of a contractor offering lower quality equipment and installataion for the sake of the tax credit. Use the tax credit wisely and take advantage of having the ability to step up the quality.

__________________
Settle down! If you were that important, the city would give you lights and a siren for your car

The tax credit is a great thing for people to be able to move up in equipment end, wihtout absorbing the normal upgrade price.
but, lots of contractors try to make it sound like the customer is getting more for less then a standard unit install.

Anybody in the trade that thinks any HVAC manfacturer. Has a product that will last a lifetime. Should wake up and smell the coffee.

Goodman had/has that lifetime and or 99 year warranty out to make money now and down the road also.

They want a good contractor to talk the customer into taking the credit, and paying for the upgrade to the next latest and greatest unit from them.

Bean counters and demographics determine how many people will really take the warranty repair, compared to how many will pay for an upgrade, and how many will have moved, or forgetten they have the warranty. And then advise from those numbers.

I just bought a high end treadmill (Precor great USA brand). One of their competitors with a reasonable machine with better warranty uses the extra warranty tactic rather than building the same quality as mine. Point being that the Precor is so damn well built very few people will need the warranty. It rides a lot better and I don't buy equipment based on warranty. Some of these large companies use statitstics and buy a insurance policy to cover the extra warranty rather than incur the extra cost of building a better machine.

Thanks to all for their feedback. I'm going to see what quotes I get and will post. One ques., though I want the tax credit, are the high efficiency units going to be more expensive to servcice and will they last as long? Would like a quiet unit and don't plan on selling home for 20 years (knock on wood!!). Thanks again to you all. This chatroom is great!!

The first step is to have the units properly sized. Next a good installed and site survey. After they check the duct system they can advise what is needed. Ask prices for multiple brands. Don't make the mistake and choose a product strictly on price.
For more info on heat loss and heat gain & FAQ see linkhttp://www.comfort-calc.net/faq.html

The higher efficiency units are not necessarily more complicated. They are made larger to get rid of the heat easier and that is how the efficiency goes up. If you get a 2 stage A/C or heat pump they are a LOT more complicated. If it is properly maintained it will last a lot longer.

To Home air direct, As I said I work for a dealer of EIGHT MAJOR BRANDS. Goodman in my mind is the best value. By the way its --Amanna\Goodman. It is also obvious that you DONT PROFIT form Goodman products. You may not like them or have had bad experince with them that ok. All of our competion always says almost the same thing you said here. Any in the busness is going to recomend the brand they value the most. IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY--NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY. You are still selling hvac you just arn't selling GOODMAN. So saying something aginst Goodman is in your insterst. By the way I get the same pay no matter what unit someone buys.

By the way its --Amanna\Goodman. It is also obvious that you DONT PROFIT form Goodman products. You may not like them or have had bad experince with them that ok. All of our competion always says almost the same thing you said here. Any in the busness is going to recomend the brand they value the most. IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY--NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY. You are still selling hvac you just arn't selling GOODMAN. So saying something aginst Goodman is in your insterst. By the way I get the same pay no matter what unit someone buys.

You are right Tex, I don't know much

But I do know three things. First, you are WRONG, I do sell Goodman, and two other brands, and I have been involved in wholesale distribution of Goodman, Armstrong, Ducane, Lennox, and Whirlpool. Second, It is not Amana/Goodman. Dude it is Goodman. I can tell you every minute corporate detail of the company, including the cell phone numbers of the brass. I can tell you when they became part of Apollo holding and when they went public. i can tell you the entire pedigree of the Amana BRAND. And, I can tell you that you need a spell checker on your computer.

Edited to include: My apology to the OP for the above post. It is out of character for me. My feathers get ruffled when people stop helping and promote without any thought for the OP. You are trying to make a big decision. Your decision should be made with multiple inputs. Budget, contractor, warranty and many other factors. What ever you decide, I wish you the best of luck with your project.

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__________________
Settle down! If you were that important, the city would give you lights and a siren for your car

Last edited by Home Air Direct; 05-05-2009 at 12:59 AM.
Reason: Needed to be amended